Written questions by Vaughan.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether an assessment has been made of the potential merits of launching a public consultation into the use of high concentration carbon dioxide for slaughtering pigs.

Awaiting answer.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to support the delivery of medical and personal hygiene items to Craig and Lindsay Foreman.

Awaiting answer.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure regular communication between Craig and Lindsay Foreman and their family in the United Kingdom.

Awaiting answer.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to support the organisation of an independent medical assessment of Craig and Lindsay Foreman.

Awaiting answer.

Whether she has any plans to review the eligibility criteria for the Electric Vehicle Charge Point Grant with a view to extending that grant to homeowners with off-street parking who are not currently eligible

Awaiting answer.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the eligibility criteria for the Electric Vehicle Charge Point Grant on the rate of home charge point installation among owner-occupiers with off-street p

Awaiting answer.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that Craig and Lindsay Foreman secure regular telephone contact with their family in the UK.

We regularly raise Lindsay and Craig's case with the Iranian authorities at both ministerial and official level, and continually stress the importance we attach to their health, their welfare, and their ability to contact family members.Officials also con...

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to work with the UK’s allies to secure the release and return of Craig and Lindsay Foreman to the UK.

We regularly raise Lindsay and Craig's case with the Iranian authorities at both ministerial and official level, and continually stress the importance we attach to their health, their welfare, and their ability to contact family members.Officials also con...

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that Lindsay and Craig Foreman secure the regular medical treatment in Evin Prison that they need.

We regularly raise Lindsay and Craig's case with the Iranian authorities at both ministerial and official level, and continually stress the importance we attach to their health, their welfare, and their ability to contact family members.Officials also con...

What steps he is taking to reduce trade barriers for exports of British textile products to the USA.

Through negotiations on the Economic Prosperity Deal (EPD), the UK enjoys preferential trading terms with the US across a range of key sectors, including automotives, pharmaceuticals, and core steel and aluminium. Discussions on the EPD continue, which wi...

What steps he is taking to support homeowners with low to average annual incomes access loans and grants to make their properties more energy efficient.

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is a universal grant of up to £7.500 to help property owners replace fossil fuel heating systems with more efficient, low carbon alternatives such as heat pumps, with a recent uplift to up to £9,000 for off-gas-grid homes h...

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of reducing the number of Personal Independence Payment claimants on carers who receive Carers’ Allowance.

The Daily Living Component of Personal Independence Payment paid to the person being cared for is one of the “trigger” benefits for Carer’s Allowance. The Government has no plans to change this. I am currently undertaking a Review of the Personal Independ...

What steps he is taking to support ex-miners to access the pensions that they are entitled to.

The Government is keen to reach agreement with the Trustees of the British Coal pension schemes on changes to the arrangements to benefit scheme members. The Government is mindful of the need to resolve this issue as swiftly as possible, and will make an ...

What steps he is taking to help tackle trade barriers for exports of British textile products to the European Union.

The Government is committed to tackling barriers faced by businesses, when trading with the EU. This Government has reset our relationship with the EU, our closest partner, accounting for almost half (45%) of the UK’s total trade in 2025. The Trade and Co...

Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to support small-scale landlords in the private rental sector.

The Renters’ Rights Act will provide tangible benefits for responsible landlords who provide high-quality homes and a good service to their tenants, including simpler regulation and clear and expanded possession grounds, so that landlords can regain their...

What progress she has made in allocating the £500 million of funding to local authorities to deliver asylum accommodation under the Asylum Accommodation Programme pilots.

We have committed to closing every asylum hotel, and work is well underway, with more suitable sites, including military bases, being brought forward to ease pressure on communities. Suitable locations for Home Office-run pilots and allocation of funding ...

If she will provide an update on the progress of the Asylum Accommodation Programme pilots.

We have committed to closing every asylum hotel, and work is well underway, with more suitable sites, including military bases, being brought forward to ease pressure on communities. Suitable locations for Home Office-run pilots and allocation of funding ...

What the procurement timeframe will be for contracts providing asylum accommodation to replace the existing agreements that expire in 2029.

The Future Asylum Contract Transformation programme which will replace the existing Asylum Accommodation and Support Contracts is planned to launch its procurement in 2026, with an expectation that contracts will be awarded before the expiration of existi...

What assessment has been made of the adequacy of the 26-week continuous employment threshold for eligibility for Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay under the Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Act 20

The 26-week continuous employment requirement is standard across parental pay entitlements. Where employees do not qualify, we encourage employers to provide additional support where possible.Through the Parental Leave and Pay Review we are considering im...

What assessment he has made of the potential impact on patients and NHS waiting lists of surgical operations being cancelled due to contaminated or defective sterile surgical instrument components;

No specific assessment has been made of the impact of cancelled operations due to contaminated or defective sterile surgical instrument components on National Health Service elective waiting lists. Quarterly cancelled elective operation statistics for non...